Release of a rescued Crested Serpent Eagle
A Crested Serpent Eagle that was rescued in critical condition after a traffic accident on 21 February this year was returned to the wild after about 160 days in care. Both the Ministry of the Environment staff and the veterinarian had considered its chances of survival quite low, but it made a remarkable recovery. Truly a phoenix.
At the release site I learned that the person who first found it was someone I know well. That person's daughter named the eagle "Karii" (嘉例). "Karii" is read as "かりー" and is used as a toast — as in "ぐすーよー、かりーさびら!!" — meaning "Everyone, let's raise a glass!!" It is a word commonly used in Okinawa proper.
Given such an auspicious name, "Karii" had suffered damage to the right eye in the accident, along with fractures to the right wing and leg. Thanks to the dedicated treatment by the veterinarian and the devoted care of the rehabilitation staff at Ishigaki Yaima Village, it was finally possible to release her on 1 August. The fractures healed completely, but unfortunately she lost the sight in her right eye. Even so, she flew off in fine form.
Once set on the ground, the Crested Serpent Eagle known as Kare took off without a moment's hesitation. A blue band engraved with the number "5" for individual identification is fitted on the left leg. This is a valuable record, so please let me know if you spot it in good health.
Strong wingbeats as those involved looked on. The flight path was exactly as hoped — heading straight toward me with my camera raised. ^^
The rescuer and their family with the Crested Serpent Eagle. The right eye cannot see.